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My Weekend in Hossegor with JO&JOE

I had only been home for a few days after my 21-month around the world trip when I boarded yet another plane to join a press trip for the opening of JO&JOE in Hossegor. I could not say no to Accor Hotels and their latest brand launch. Firstly because I’m always hungry for new adventures and always on the hunt for fantastic locations and hotels for my fellow digital nomads and travellers for my global collection of connected homes (places where you can live, work and travel feeling at home and stay connected), second because travelling is always a great idea and I never say no to it!

So, I quickly packed my bag and off I went to explore and admire the new concept by Accorhotel in collaboration with Quiksilver and Roxy.

As soon as my fellow bloggers and I landed in Biarritz, we were welcomed by the Accor Hotels team and a nice lux car that took us to a full immersion into surfboards manufacturing at Euroglass incredible facilities in Hossegor.

Euroglass was founded in 1990 to supply Quiksilver with premium surfboards and for the past 25 years, the team has worked extremely hard to produce top boards while innovating in style, design and materials. Euroglass’ boards are used by worldwide surfing champions all around the world and, being a surfing beginner myself, for me it was like being in a candy shop.

After this incredible visit, we were finally taken to explore JO&JOE open house.

What’s so special about JO&JOE?

Well, for a start, this is a very new concept of open house hotel which Accor had in mind. They wanted to create something for the millennials, which would represent them and make them feel welcome and free. But also which would be founded on three words: security, privacy and friendliness. To realize that they collaborated with specialist such as psychologist, doctors who could study the mindset of this generation which they wanted to reach.

This fantastic historic building is an open house that welcomes neighbours and travellers alike. It’s a cool, affordable and caring hostel but also a hotel and a home for some. It’s filled with a smart and irreverent design where you are invited to indulge in all sort of cocktails, live music and events.

The Jo&Joe home in Hossegor is the very first that Accor Hotel has opened in the world but they are planning on opening 15 in total over the next 3 years.

Since JO&JOE is a brand that goes beyond hospitality and travel but that aims to reach and mix the local community with travellers, the founders have also created a cool app (available both on the Apple Store and Google Play) where you can join events around you but also pay your hotel bills since the open house is cash-free – isn’t that a dream come true?

They have different types of rooms, shared and private. The shared rooms we’ll go up to 10 beds and the private rooms can be for 2 to 5 people.

All the rooms are incredibly spacious, bright, practical and with VERY comfortable bed. Each bed comes with built-in lights, fan, USB socket, plug and curtains for extra privacy.

Around the house there is lots of space to relax and chill: large sofas, hammocks, giant flamingos and long chairs, but if you are feeling active, you will also find a ping-pong table, a climbing wall, a slackline and yoga lessons too.

What to do in Hossegor?

Hossegor is a small french seaside town by the Atlantic, perfect for those who love the ocean and its waves. The village is full of cute little restaurants, bars, boutiques, shops and of course waves: Hossegor is the favourite French destination for surfers from all over the world and it has gained a glamourous spot among the best places to surf. Hossegor is also very good for other wet and dry activities (read more below). Basically, Hossegor is the perfect place to indulge in a sporty weekend or a chilled vacation.

Surf and SUP with Hossegor Surf Club

I might still have some salt in my hair since the last time I was surfing in Bali, but I am still very far from being a pro, so the lesson with the team of HSC was simply amazing and despite the short waves, we had loads of fun!

My fellow bloggers and Instagrammers were spoiled with burgers from Heads, a gorgeous restaurant right on the beach in Hossegor where we had the opportunity to taste some delicious meat and veggie burgers obviously accompanied by french fries and local beer.

On Saturday morning, after yoga, breakfast and surfing, we had a gorgeous pic nic organised by the guys of the Le Mango Tree in a cute park along the river. It was not only beautiful and healthy but also very yummy!

Fat Biking

I had never tried those very cool bikes before, but going around Hossegor and the beach was such great fun!